Where did the Welsh Edwards family come from? What is the Welsh Edwards family crest and coat of arms? When did the Edwards family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the Edwards family history?

The Welsh surname Edwards was derived from the personal name Edward. This name is in turn derived from the Old English forename "Eadweard," which literally means "prosperity-guard."

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Edwards name over the years has been spelled Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.

First found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county, created in 1536 at the Act of Union with England, and located in Northeast Wales, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and were descended from Einion Efell, Lord of Cynlleth, living in 1182, son of Madoc, Prince of Powys, who built Oswestry Castle in 1148.

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edwards research. Another 403 words(29 lines of text) covering the years 1283, 1597, 1776, 1605, 1656, 1629, 1712, 1686, 1712, 1615, 1681, 1636, 1648, 1664, 1679, 1652, 1721 and are included under the topic Early Edwards History in all our PDF Extended History products.

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Edwards:

Edwards Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John Wesley Edwards, who arrived in Colorado in 1906

Ben Edwards, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906

Edwards Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Joseph Edwards U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 179 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York

Mrs. Mary Edwards U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 327 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York

Mrs. Catherine Edwards U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 299 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York

Ms. Rebecca Edwards D.U.E. (b. 1764), aged 19 who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 335 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York

Mr. Andrew Edwards U.E. (b. 1769), aged 14 who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 336 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York

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Our PDF Coat of Arms + Extended History product is the whole package all in one. With a full color Coat of Arms along with a very detailed History, full symbolism, bibliography and settlers listed by the centuries.

The Edwards Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Edwards Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.